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Original poster

I want to be a teacher. Guidance needed.

95 replies

Mumblecrumbs · 13/01/2020 13:44

I have been in a bit of a state the last few weeks trying to figure out what to do with my future. I have been a SAHM of three for over a decade and had health problems/mental health problems off and on during that time.
What I really want to do, what I've always wanted to do really, is be a History teacher in secondary.
The issue is I currently have no history degree (though am starting one full time via the OU in September) and no employment references etc for when the time comes to apply for a PGCE. I have tried to do some volunteering here and there but am always turned down as I have no suitable references that aren't family members. It also seems that even voluntary jobs these days are becoming increasingly competitive.

I just really need some guidance. I am lucky enough to have DH to support me whilst I try to build a career from myself but it seems like there is just obstacle after obstacle in my path that I won't be able to overcome.

OP posts:
Geraniumblue · 13/01/2020 16:53

Don’t do it. Be an archivist instead.

Dancingontheedge · 13/01/2020 16:55

Inclusion without resources or staff to support it has become an ever-increasing problem, which creates huge additional pressures that weren’t there decades ago. I haven’t seen many positive reforms in 35 years.
By all means choose a degree you really want to do, but think about other careers that will suit your needs and the needs of your family better.

lostsoulsunited · 13/01/2020 17:05

Then they started hiring unqualified teachers on low wages and expecting qualified teachers to support them and fix their mistakes.

I haven't seen this myself but I'm sure it's happening and will only increase

Interested in this thread?

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Seashellsandbuttons · 13/01/2020 17:06

No, being a TA was easy actually. ;)

I meant working with the 2 x miserable teachers was hard work. (Lots of drama and slagging off) and they didn't like children.

Ah well. I'll keep looking at alternatives.

Cheers for the insight

pinyinchahua · 13/01/2020 17:11

Reforms? Ha! The teaching profession is on it’s knees and for good reason. Tory budget tightening is only going to exacerbate the situation. Please listen to the teachers telling you not to. It’s bloody miserable.

Original poster
Mumblecrumbs · 13/01/2020 17:17

I am listening, it's just upsetting and deflating. Particularly when there isn't really much else I feel I want to do/can do. Maybe social work but I imagine that isn't any less difficult.
My physical issues are a massive obstacle and sometimes it all feels a bit overwhelming and insurmountable Sad.
I'm lucky enough to have a high earning DH who is fine with me being a SAHM forever if I wanted to be, but I don't. With all the children in school I feel I need to contribute. I'm just not sure what to do.
Thank you all for the advice, it's upsetting but I'd rather people give it to me straight.

OP posts:
AlaskaElfForGin · 13/01/2020 17:18

Then they started hiring unqualified teachers on low wages and expecting qualified teachers to support them and fix their mistakes.

I've seen this. I know an unqualified teacher who is a HOD. It's not a core subject and having worked with her, I know how good she is, but she's not a qualified teacher. So her school were able to pay less for her. This is the absolute truth by the way, I know it sounds like a load of bollocks.

glorioussilence · 13/01/2020 17:19

mumble if you want to teach then do it.

Worst case scenarios tend to end up online.

Ofthread · 13/01/2020 17:25

I didn't believe people when they said how bad it was going to be. What many people don't take into account is the culture of these schools and colleges. Management bully and target people, I've seen some really awful things, and it affects my outlook massively EVEN when it's not happening to me, EVEN though I'm a damn good teacher, EVEN though I have a pretty thick skin. It wears you down.

Compared to, say, being a GP - also horrifically stressful/full of targets/overworked etc. what you don't have as a teacher is respect for your professional judgement. It's massive.

Dancingontheedge · 13/01/2020 17:28

I enjoy teaching, glorioussilence, and I’ve been doing it a very long time. It’s often harder than people imagine and pretending otherwise would be dishonest. Even if it isn’t the glib soundbite that all the ads are trotting out.

glorioussilence · 13/01/2020 17:28

Being a GP involves a hell of a lot of work though.

Ofthread · 13/01/2020 17:31

Mumble, don't be disheartened. Do your degree, that's the most important thing right now. You should do it in the subject you love. You could go on to do academic research and/or teaching in HE - has it's own problems like anything. Or, no doubt, along the way you will find other options, there are loads. Teaching is one of the traditional career paths, and it can be attractive for that reason. There are so many other options, that you probably just haven't thought of. If we were not in the UK I suspect we'd all be on here telling you to go for teaching.

Ofthread · 13/01/2020 17:32

Yes, glorious, but using it as a comparison as it's also one of the traditional vocations.

Dancingontheedge · 13/01/2020 17:32

I suppose it’s like a relationship, however many people there are waving red flags and offering opinions based on direct experience, if you really want it, nothing’s going to stop you.
Then all the flag-wavers can do is cross their fingers and hope it turns out differently this time.

Copperleaves · 13/01/2020 17:39

It's great you are doing a degree. There's loads of stuff you can do with it, especially since you aren't desperate for cash.
It does worry me a bit that you think being a librarian might be good but have no clue how you could become one - google? When I was at uni we had careers advisors, does the OU not offer anything like that?

soloula · 13/01/2020 17:40

OP the OU has a fab careers service. It's worth getting in touch with them as they can give you guidance, taking proper account of your disability, the job market, your experience (and guidance in how to get more experience). Worth a call...

Original poster
Mumblecrumbs · 13/01/2020 17:43

I mean I have Googled it, Copper. It's just not as clear a path as teaching is iyswim.

OP posts:
CallofDoodee · 13/01/2020 17:47

I think you should think really carefully about this.

I had quite a romanticised view of what teaching would be, and to be be fair, when. I started teaching 12 years ago, there were still a few elements of that left. And I loved it. But it was hard work and eventually took such a toll on my mental health that I had to leave it behind. Starting now.... I can't imagine. I can't imagine there are many of the elements that you think will be involved in teaching left to be honest. It's fucking nothing like those ridiculous adverts most of the time either.

I would definitely do a history degree if you have the means and then see where you want to go from there. If money isn't really an issue then you could do a good stint as a TA to get a bit of an insight as to what it's like (although to be honest, even that doesn't really tell you what an actual teachers life is like).

It is crap that it has gone like this. I just don't know what has happened to education, its so sad.

Biscuitsneeded · 13/01/2020 17:49

Teaching can be very rewarding but it's also very, very challenging if you are not mentally robust, OP. Passion for your subject isn't enough - 98% of your students won't share your passion. I think those who survive in teaching are those who genuinely like being around teenagers, don't take all the crap TOO seriously but know how to do enough to get by without burning out. I did a PGCE with 2 young children and it nearly finished me off. I am now a secondary teacher and have been one for 10 years but I don't work full time, and I don't think I could if I wanted to save my sanity.

Copperleaves · 13/01/2020 17:49

This was a (ahem) while ago when I was deciding what to do, but I had applied for a post grad in Library and information studies that would lead to me being a librarian (well subject to getting a job). Before that I worked as a library assistant in a university and it was really good actually.

FaFoutis · 13/01/2020 17:50

After my history degree I got a job as a research assistant. That might suit you.

OU careers advice is very good. Start your degree and worry about where it's going later. Are you signed up for A111 in October?

YourOpinionIsNoted · 13/01/2020 17:52

Honestly, I would never advise someone with physical and mental health difficulties to go into teaching. It is exhausting emotionally, mentally and physically, and it's pretty family-UNfriendly.

This, sadly.

I never had mental health issues prior to teaching. I was finally signed off after over a year of fantasising about killing myself, 6+ months of diarrhoea every morning before school (but never on a non-school day), years of grinding my teeth in the night causing headaches, teeth and jaw pain, and even then it was only because dh saw me stood over the kitchen sink fighting the need to vomit before I left the house one morning, put his foot down & sent me to the GP. 6 months off sick, lots of anti depressants, limped on for another academic year so I could claim mat leave.

I would also be cautious about teaching if you have limited mobility, or will do in future. Some lots of classes have awful behaviour if youre not stalking up and down all the time, it's like the minute you sit down they think you aren't there any more and see it as permission to be dickheads. I found classroom management so hard in the later months of my pregnancy because I couldn't be on my feet all day.

CuckooCuckooClock · 13/01/2020 17:54

Please don’t let having a physical disability put you off. I’ve known several teachers with disabilities. Schools just have to make adjustments.

YourOpinionIsNoted · 13/01/2020 17:58

The school have to make adjustments, yes, but you can't force the kids not to be twats about it.

CuckooCuckooClock · 13/01/2020 17:58

I have a friend who is a teacher and uses a wheelchair. Her classroom management is spot on. Like all teachers, she has developed strategies that work for her. Obviously it adds an extra challenge but it can be overcome. She also has an assistant funded by access to work to help her with paperwork.